By Chris Parker
Weaubleau boy basketball will be a versatile offensive team entering coach Blake Allen’s second season at the helm. The team won 16 games and a district championship last season.
“(We have) five guys that can all score,” Allen said. “We return 75% of our scoring from last year and all five guys on the floor will have to be accounted for.”
A trio of juniors in Blane Durnell, Dawson Stewart and Gage Johnson lead the returning players.
“All three have seen varsity time since they were freshmen,” Allen said. “Their competitiveness and will to win gives them all the tools to lead us and impact us on and off the court.”
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Johnson was named the Polk County League MVP last season averaging 16.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Durnell was also a first-team all-conference honoree scoring 15.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Stewart contributed 6.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game.
Junior Zach Brown along with sophomores Gunner Freeman and Clayton Ginnings also return.
Allen on Brown: “Zach Brown brings a high motor, physical presence, and will step in front and take a charge. Brown led the team in charges taken last season as a sophomore.
Allen on Freeman: “Gunner Freeman really stretches the floor, shoots with a lot of range, and has made great strides in becoming a three level scorer. He has become a much stronger player over the offseason and has improved tremendously on the defensive end.”
Allen on Ginnings: “Clayton Ginnings is a long athletic guard that can guard any position, contest shots at the rim, and finish strong around the rim.”
The junior duo of Beau Tucker and Landon Chaney will be newcomers to the varsity lineup.
“Beau Tucker had a great summer for us and really shot up the depth chart. He’s a guy that wants everyone around him to succeed and is willing to do whatever it takes for us to win,” Allen said. “Landon Chaney will provide us depth at the guard position, he has a high IQ and can knock down open threes.”
Weaubleau opens the season Nov. 28 through Dec. 3 at the Warsaw Tournament.
“We want to be a team that always controls the things that we can control by being physical, having a relentless effort, and a team first mentality,” Allen said.
